1808.] Procezdings of Public Societies, 49 
louble object may be attained; that of per also to observe, that by cutting the 
‘increasing the value of ourown produc- blossoms of the potatoes, the roots are 
tions, and of diminishing theconsumption greatly improved, and the quantity of the 
‘of articles imported from a country now — produce considerably augmented.* 
unfortunately at variance with us, V.. Foreign productions.—The present 
Here it may be proper to observe, that, circumstances of this country, and of the 
in consequence of an application from rest of the world, renders it extremely 
the commissioners of naval revision, the difficult to import any articles of foreign 
attention of the Board has been particu- growth, to be cultivated here. The 
“larly directed ‘to the cultivationot hemp. Board, however, has not been inattentive 
‘Every information upon that subject, to so. great a source of improvement, 
* which the, records of;the Board could Understanding that a species. of barley 
furnish; has been viven to that useful ine had been brought by an ingenious travel- 
stitution; and with aview that the growth ler from Greece, which- was extremely 
4 of hemp might not interfere with. the productive, and peculiarly calculated for 
_ production of human food at home, and feeding horses, (by which, if found to an- 
_> that its’ cultivation might be.promoted in» swer, the importation of many'thousand 
»  eurcolomes abroad, premiums have been quarters of oats would be rendered un- 
offered, to the persun who shall cultivate ecéssary), means have been taken to 
* the greatest number of acres, (not Jess + try that article, even in the remote parts 
than four), with hemp, or drained peat . of the kingdom, as the grain seems to re- 
* ‘bog, and to those who shall report to the semble the bear or big now produced 
~ Board, the best means of promoting the there. Application has also been made 
_ cultivation of that article, in our Ame- to Colonel Williamson, whose long vesie 
~ _rican coloniés. dence in America has given him a thoe 
IV. Potatocs.—This most valuable ar- rough knowledge of the productions of 
| ticle cannot be tuo much recommended, that part of the world, to exert his influ 
sas an excellent source of human suste- _ ence, to procure several articles likely to 
_ mance. Thicre were two obstacles to its be ef use here, in particular the seeds of 
"extensive cultivation; 1. The disease the pitch-pine and. of the swamp-pine, 
Aid the curl, to which it is frequently which he has promised to procure, and 
gs iable ; and, 2. The supposed (liliculty of which will probably be fotind valuable 
> prsstving the root beyond one season. acquisitions. 
ay 
er 
_ Under the auspices of the Board of Agri- VI. Rouds.—The inquiries which have 
- culture, both these objections to the” been carried on in parliament, on the re- 
extensive culture of potatoes, are likely commendation of the Board of Agricul- 
_ to be removed. Jn regard to the curl, it . ture, regarding roads, wheel catriages, 
~ would appear from the experiments. of «and all the variety of particulars therewith 
_ Mr, Crozer, of Alnwick, in Northum- . connected, are likely to prove in the high- 
___ berland, that it canbe effectually pre- est degree advantageous to the couftry. 
ier «vented, by sowing the potatoes intended A committee for prosecuting those import- 
oe wv seed, later, and taking them up, ear- ant inquiries, was appointed in the course 
» Jier, than when intended for food. Se- ofthe present session, by whom two re- 
_veral bushels of potatoes, treated in this ports have been already presented, which 
manner, have been purchased by the are now in the press, and a third is pre- 
' Board, and distributed in the neiglbour- paring. The effect of these inquiries, 
— “hood of London, so as to give the expe must be of infinite consequence, if 
_ Fiment a fair trial, In regard to preser- © zealously acted upon; and if any thing 
ving potatoes beyond one season, itis as- effectual is done, it must, in a great mea- 
med by the experiments of Mr. sure, be attributed, to thie exertions of 
» of Betshanger, in Kent, that by the Board of Agriculture. If carriages 
ing them in thin slices,anti by drying weré*properly. constructed, fewer horses 
1 ina hop, or other kili,* they may would be necessary “to convey the 
ept for years, even at sea, either in’ same quantity of goods; and if the 
ose slices, or ground into meal. By 9 —_———__—______»_____ 
ky? s€ means, no part of the potatoe is “* “This useful practice of, cutting off the 
Yost, the solid matter is all retained; the  ,jocgonas of the potatoe, has only been re= 
oe only being evaporated, and the cently discovered in. the west of Scotland, 
~~ meal may be consumed in various modes, "J¢ can be done by boys and girls, at no great 
a8 human stistenance. It may he pro- expénce. The nourishment that would 
Igy em ' otherwise goto the apple, is thus transferred 
a # In hot climates they might be dried in. to the root. Itis to be hoped that. many will 
(the sun. Potatoes thus dried, may answer try the experiment, in the course of this sea- 
. fox feeding stock, instead of oats or beans.’ ‘son, and will report the résult to the Buard. 
» Moxracy Mac., No. 174° H *-Foads 
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